This year, Teryi Youngblood is going to try a lamb kabob sandwich, a ham and cheese potato croquette, strawberry shortcake and citrus thyme iced tea. Youngblood, the chef de cuisine of the almost 1-year-old Passerelle Bistro, is bringing her creative French country cuisine to Artisphere for the first time as one of 10 restaurants that will make up the festival's Culinary Arts Cafe.

And Youngblood has plans to shake up the scene a bit.

"We take opportunities like this to get out there some," says Youngblood, who created Passerelle as a place for unpretentious but unique French fare. "In this instance, it lets you be creative and have fun."

As the 10th year of Artisphere kicks off to the public today, 125 visual artists are gearing up for a weekend of creativity, sharing and fun, and so are local chefs. Food has remained an important component of the international arts festival each year, lending an added artistic element, says Kerry Murphy, the festival's executive director.

Organizers are strategic about their choices, aiming for a diverse selection that is also representative of Greenville's growing food scene.

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Gov. Nikki Haley shakes hands with Henry Horowitz, Artisphere board of directors, before the unveiling of a new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

A new downtown sculpture by artist John Acorn was is unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2014. The sculpture is a commissioned piece in honor of the 10th anniversary of Artisphere. MYKAL McELDOWNEY/Staff

"It's an area that we look to enhance year after year," Murphy says. "And we are thrilled with the lineup of restaurants."

Each year, organizers strive for a diverse mix of restaurants in a limited space. And each year, the choices grow, Murphy says.

This year, the cafe will showcase 10 restaurants — half are past participants and half are new to the festival. And of this year's lineup, four of the new participants are new to the Greenville food scene. Passerelle, Papi's Tacos, Tealoha and Grill Marks all opened within the past year.

"We feel like it is a celebration of the arts," Murphy says. "And we've got a wonderful culinary arts scene here in Greenville."

Another new kid on the block of Broad and South Main streets is Roost. With Mother's Day this weekend as well, the restaurant has a full plate, but participating in Artisphere was an easy decision, says Carey Lapidus, Roost's general manager.

The soil-to-city restaurant opened at NOMA Square last January and is bringing an eclectic menu to this year's festivities. Chef Trevor Higgins paired old menu items with new, to create fun fare worthy of an arts festival and representative of Greenville. The loaded chili fries and pulled pork tacos bring a Southern twist, while the kimchi super dog adds a twist to the traditional street food, combining a Southeast Farms beef hot dog with thick cut bacon, cilantro and Chinese hot mustard.

"We wanted to support the local arts community," Lapidus says. "And I think for us it will also be nice to help showcase what Greenville's food and beverage scene is all about."

In addition to the food vendors, Artisphere's culinary offerings will get an added boost from both a wine tasting and, for the first time this year, a craft beer tasting tent. The tastings are $10 and include six tastes as well as a small plate of accoutrements from Whole Foods.

While this will be the third year for the wine tasting, the beer is new, Murphy says. It's a sign of the times, and of Greenville. Like the food scene, the craft beer scene is booming, so organizers jumped on it.

"It's an opportunity to put Greenville's best foot forward," Murphy says. "And it is also an opportunity for us to showcase what we have in ... the cultural scene from entertainment to art and music and food."